SONG ADJUDICATOR
Stuart Smith, B. Mus. (Hons.), M. Mus.
Stuart studied at the University of Southern California under Gwendolyn Koldofsky, accompanist to Lotte Lehmann and Hermann Prey, then at the Manhattan School of Music under the direction of George Schick of the Metropolitan Opera and has played for master classes given by such eminent singer/teachers as John Carol Case, Marjorie Thomas, Vera Rosza and Benjamin Luxon.
Stuart now works in England as a vocal coach, both privately and for 22 years at the Birmingham Conservatoire, and with the distinguished singers and teachers Alison Mary Sutton, Rae Woodland, April Cantelo and Patricia MacMahon on annual residential courses for adult singers. In 2008, he conducted classes on American Song for Irish Vocal Master Classes in Dublin and in 2009, adjudicated the Mary Brennan Bursary for aspiring professional singers in Dublin.
MUSCIAL INSTRUMENT ADJUDICATOR
Elizabeth Childs GRSM (Hons) LRAM.
Elizabeth is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, where she studied flute with Gareth Morris and piano with Graeme Humphrey. Whilst at the RAM she performed regularly with all the orchestras, and was also engaged in many internal and external teaching projects. Currently, Elizabeth is engaged in a busy teaching schedule which includes Wells Cathedral School, works part time for Harpenden Musicale, plays in Quintessimo (Wind Quintet) based in Hertfordshire and directs several successful flute choirs and is flute tutor for undergraduates at the University of East Anglia.
Elizabeth regards it as an enormous privilege to sit on the Board along with the role as Chair to the Adjudicators Council for BIFF. She herself grew up in the Hull and Hornsea Festivals and knows first hand how valuable these experiences are. In 2009 Elizabeth adjudicated in Sri Lanka as well as at many UK Festivals and will be adjudicating in Hong Kong in 2010. Elizabeth is also a full member of the ISM, a committee member of the Royal Academy of Music Club and a Committee member of the Hitchin Festival of the Arts.
DRAMA ADJUDICATOR
Cally Foster, L.L.A.M, M.S.T.S.D
Since her first appearance in a festival at the age of five Cally has been committed to the festival movement and has pursued a career as a speech and drama specialist. She has been the principal of her Buckinghamshire based drama studio for the past 20 years combining that role with travelling extensively in the UK, Europe and overseas (including Japan, Singapore, Kuwait, the Emirates, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong) as an examiner for L.A.M.D.A.
Cally believes that performing in festivals not only encourages an appreciation of the arts but also develops the communication and presentation skills so important in today’s world. As an adjudicator member of the British and International Federation of Festivals Cally is delighted to have been invited to adjudicate at the Cranbrook Festival of Performing Arts. She wishes everyone an enjoyable as well as a positive experience.
DANCE ADJUDICATOR
Nathan James, FISTD FIDTA ANATD MBBO Cert FE (QTLS)
Nathan trained in the Midlands in all Musical Theatre; his first professional engagement was in ‘Cinderella’ with Brian Conley and Danny La Rue, and has subsequently toured the UK in the national tour of ‘Copacabana’ and also Europe in the Irish dance show ‘Spirit of the Dance’. Nathan has also completed a season at the renowned Chichester Festival Theatre and appeared in the revival of the Broadway Musical ‘42nd Street’ in Stuttgart, German.
For the last 5 years Nathan has concentrated on his first passion, teaching. Specialising in Jazz, Musical Theatre and Tap styles, he has taught at many of the major Vocational Colleges in the UK including Arts Educational School, Bodywork Dance Studios and Sylvia Young Theatre School. Nathan is currently Head of Tap at The Urdang Academy in London, and founder of Jazz Tap UK specialising in educational workshops in Tap dancing and co-founder of UK Young Dancers. Nathan regularly visits the USA in order to further his knowledge in the Tap genre, and was recently invited to perform in a showcase of new work at the Leonard Nimoy Theatre in New York. He is currently studying for an MA in Professional Practice (Dance Education) with Middlesex University.